Milestones in Millikin's Evolution
This chronology is a work in progress. Additional information and links will be continually added.
| 1827 | James Millikin is born August 2, in Ten Mile, Pennsylvania, the son of Abel & Nancy Van Dyke Millikin. |
| 1834 | Amos Robinson purchases a forty- acre tract of land near Decatur that includes the present campus, May. |
| 1840s | James Millikin herds cattle and sheep to western Indiana and eastern Illinois, in the area of Danville. He attends Washington (now Washington & Jefferson) College in Pennsylvania and Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN. |
| 1857 | James Millikin marries Anna Bernice Aston, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Hetty Bartlett Aston, a Presbyterian minister on January 1. |
| 1861-1865 | An encampment, with drill grounds and barracks are located on the present campus site. |
| 1865 | The Cumberland Presbyterian Church establishes Lincoln University at Lincoln, Illinois. |
| 1866 | Lincoln University opens for classes, November 5. |
| 1874 | James Millikin purchases a 16 acre tract, an area called Oakland Park, the site of the present campus. |
| 1899 | Rev. A.W. Hawkins, pastor of Cumberland Presbyterian Church proposes removal of Lincoln University to Decatur. His publicized proposal elicits no response. |
| 1900 | James Millikin announces his intention to transfer Lincoln University to Decatur, with financial support through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the City of Decatur in May. |
| 1901 | James Millikin and the Synod of Illinois for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church agree not to transfer Lincoln University to Decatur, October. |
| State legislature enacted to permit alteration of Lincoln University's charter. | |
| Amended charter of Lincoln University is adopted, establishing the James Millikin University, April 30. | |
| Albert Reynolds Taylor accepts the presidency of the new university. | |
| The three governing boards for the new university are constituted. | |
| Board of Managers of the new Decatur College and Industrial School of the James Millikin University is organized. | |
| Oakland Park is chosen as university site, October. | |
| President Taylor presents curriculum outline, September 19. | |
| Board of Managers selects architect firm of Patton & Miller of Chicago for the Decatur College & Industrial School. | |
| 1902 | Patton & Miller, architects submit final revision of plans for Shilling Hall |
| First construction contracts are released. | |
| Cornerstone is laid for Shilling Hall, June 12. | |
| Contracts let for power house and machine shop, September 29. | |
| 1903 | U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt formally dedicates the Decatur College and Industrial School of the James Millikin University, June 4. |
| The Decatur College and Industrial School opens for classes, September 15. | |
| Millikin athletics organized, September 16. | |
| The Decaturian is published for the first time. It is a monthly periodical. | |
| Rah for the J M U! the first Millikin song, appears anonymously in Decaturian, November. | |
| 1904 | First game between Millikin and Illinois Wesleyan. |
| Local fraternity Kappa Delta Chi is established, April. | |
| Local sorority Chi Sigma Phi is established, October. | |
| First commencement of the Decatur College and Industrial School is held, with one undergraduate, June 7. | |
| 1905 | The Federation of Illinois Colleges is organized on the campus, Jan. 14. |
| 1906 | The Millidek, the college annual is first published. The merger of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. is consummated. |
| Work begins for erection of Women's Hall. | |
| 1907 | First class to complete four years of instruction at the Decatur College and Industrial School graduates. Women's Hall is opened for occupancy. |
| 1908 | The Illinois Academy of Science was organized, largely at the initiative of President Taylor and John Charles Hessler, chemistry professor. |
| 1909 | James Millikin dies in Orlando, Florida, March 2. |
| Beta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon established. | |
| University charter is amended in accordance with Millikin's will. | |
| 1910 | James Millikin Estate announces its plans to erect a conservatory and gymnasium building. The first student council is organized for limited student government, May 10. |
| 1911 | Engineering curriculum is reduced to two years. |
| U.S. President William Taft visits campus, February. | |
| 1912 | The gymnasium and conservatory are opened for use. |
| 1913 | President Taylor resigns, effective July 1. |
| George Emory Fellows begins his duties as 2nd president. | |
| School of Pedagogy changed to School of Education. | |
| Anna Millikin dies, bequeathing her residence to serve as an Art Institute, July 29. | |
| Conservatory of Music is dedicated, November 6. | |
| President Fellows is formally inaugurated, December 9. | |
| 1914 | Controversy erupts over President Fellows. |
| Accreditation is granted by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. | |
| 1915 | President Fellows vacates his office and Albert Reynolds Taylor arrives for a second term. The first fall homecoming is held, November 12-13, an annual tradition. |
| 1916 | Gift of Hobart Williams establishes the Williams Fund. |
| 1917 | Millikin Estate trustees announce its challenge to raise $1,000,000 for the university in five years. |
| 1918 | The Student Army Training Corps is organized in October. |
| 1919 | President Taylor resigns for second time, effective June 30. John Charles Hessler named acting president. Tuition raised to $100 a year. |
| 1920 | Louis Edward Holden assumes the presidency. |
| Millikin Academy closes. | |
| Tuition increases to $150 a year. | |
| 1921 | Decaturian becomes a weekly newspaper. |
| 1922 | Graduate instruction and degrees were terminated. |
| 1923 | The English Club establishes the "Elizabethan Study." |
| 1924 | Students strike over firing of two professors "The Casey Incident," May 5-13. Former president Albert Taylor resumes duties for a third and final time |
| Mark Embury Penney is elected president, assuming his duties in August. | |
| 1926 | Mark Embury Penney is formally inaugurated as president. |
| Millikin celebrates its quarter -centennial, April 29-May 1. | |
| 1927 | School of Education becomes the Department of Education, November 2. |
| 1928 | First night college football game in the state of Illinois is played at Millikin field, against Lincoln, November 2. Millikin wins 62-0. |
| 1929 | Former president Albert Taylor dies, August 12. |
| 1930 | President Penney resigns, effective June 30. |
| Jesse Hayes White assumes the presidency. | |
| Ground is broken for Orville B. Gorin Library, November 5. | |
| 1931 | Millikin is recognized as a "Class A" college by the University of Illinois. |
| Cornerstone of Gorin Library is laid, April 17. | |
| Orville B. Gorin Library is formally dedicated November 20 and opened for use following thanksgiving recess. | |
| 1934 | President Jesse Hayes White resigns. John Charles Hessler, former chemistry professor, assumes the presidency, September. |
| 1935 | "The Millikin Plan" of education was formulated and begun. |
| 1936 | Unconditional accreditation granted by the North Central Association and the National Association of Schools of Music to the Millikin School of Music. Evening Classes are instituted. |
| 1937 | The first "Queen" of the annual homecoming celebration is elected by students. |
| 1939 | Redecorated auditorium was dedicated and named Albert Taylor Hall, Octoer 28. |
| 1941 | Millikin was recognized by the Association of American Universities, and by the American Association of University Women. |
| 1942 | The Trustees of the James Millikin estate convey the former Millikin residence to the university. |
| 1943 | Cadets of the Army Air Corps arrive. |
| Campaign for funds to erect a science building is begun. | |
| 1944 | Army Air Corp cadets leave the campus. |
| President Hessler dies in office, July 29. Clarence Lee Miller, Dean of the University, is named acting president. | |
| The Scovill Trust is announced, November 27. | |
| 1945 | Office of Veterans' Counselor is created. |
| 1946 | J. Walter Malone assumes the Presidency of the college, formally inaugurated May 3. |
| Veterans arrive on campus. | |
| "Campus City" and "Trailer City" are constructed and "Mafair Hall" is purchased and put to use. | |
| Initial campaign for science building construction is completed. | |
| 1947 | Graduate work in music is instituted, fully accredited. "Fairview Hall" is purchased and put to use. |
| 1948 | "Lincoln at Twenty-One" sculpture by Fred Torrey is formally dedicated, October 24. |
| 1949 | Major in Education is added to curriculum. |
| 1950 | Graduate work in education is instituted, fully accredited. |
| 1952 | Hearings before Judge of the Circuit Court Martin E. Morthland are concluded, followed by judicial decrees permitting dissolution of the connection between Lincoln College and the Decatur College & Industrial School, in accord with legislative action. |
| Millikin celebrates its "Golden Jubilee," the fiftieth year of class instruction. | |
| John Brcin's statue of Stephen Decatur is placed on the grounds of the Art Institute. | |
| The campaign for additional funds to meet increased costs of construction of the science building was launched and completed. | |
| 1953 | Contracts were let for construction of the science building. Ground was broken for the new science building, May 24. |
| Board of Trustees deliberate on separation of the two colleges. | |
| Secretary of State of Illinois issues new charter of "Millikin University" as legal successor to the Decatur College and Industrial School of the James Millikin University, July 23. | |
| University celebrates its semi-centennial. | |
| Courses by television are inaugurated, Millikin being first in the state of Illinois to offer courses via the new medium. | |
| 1954 | First Scovill Prizes awarded. |
| 1955 | Scovill Science Hall is opened for use. |
| "Tree planting Day" on campus, November 28. | |
| 1956 | President J. Walter Malone announces his retirement. C.L. Miller serves as acting president for second time. |
| Television courses for credit are broadcast over WCIA in Champaign. | |
| 1957 | Paul Leonard McKay is elected president. Formal installation of President McKay held on October 17. Malone Chapel is dedicated, November 10. |
| 1958 | Board of Managers is eliminated, restructuring the university's governing boards into a larger Board of Trustees. |
| First "Parents' Day", combining previous "Mom'" and "Dads'" Days, is observed, October 18. | |
| President Paul McKay reveals his "Design for Excellence" to the public, April 27. | |
| Ground broken for the men's residence hall and student union (University Center) by Eugenia Allin and Albert Taylor Mills, members of the first faculty, May 31. | |
| 1960 | Men's Residence Hall (later named Mills Hall) and University Center are occupied. |
| 1961 | Walker Hall for women was completed. |
| 1962 | Interior of Aston Hall is completely remodeled and refurbished. |
| Last residents of World War II era barracks leave, August. | |
| Albert Taylor Mills, first professor of history at Millikin, dies December 17. | |
| 1964 | A new home for the Anna B. Millikin Home for Women is built in Greenwood urban renewal area, and the old Anna Millikin Home is turned over to the university. |
| 1965 | Blackburn Hall is occupied. Millikin is a charter member of the Central States College Association. |
| 1966 | $12.5 million campaign is announced with $3 million earmarked for construction of fine arts center and physical education center |
| 1967 | Hessler Hall for men is dedicated and Men's Residence Hall is formally christened "Mills Hall" at Homecoming. |
| Announcement that graduate programs in music and education would be phased out by August 1973. | |
| A Human Relations Commission was established, and a new group for minority students, For Soul Only, is established. | |
| Collage, a literary publication, appears as a supplement to the Decaturian. | |
| 1969 | The Decatur Art Institute is dissolved. The 100,000th book is accession in the library. |
| 1970 | Kirkland Fine Arts Center and Griswold Physical Education Center are completed, dedicated and put to use. |
| Former Anna Millikin Home burns, and is later torn down. | |
| President McKay dies, February. J. Roger Miller, former Dean of School of Music and Administrative Assistant to the President, is named as McKay's successor. | |
| The first "winter term" of coursework is held, January. | |
| Interdepartmental Major is introduced. | |
| WJMU begins radio broadcast. | |
| 1975 | "Design For Excellence" campaign is launched for capital improvements, including a new Library building and renovations and additions to the University Center. |
| 1976 | Construction begins on the Staley Library. |
| School of Nursing is established. | |
| 1978 | Staley Library is completed, dedicated, and occupied. |
| 1979 | Renovations of University Center completed, Richards Treat University Center opened. |
| 1981 | Commercial Music major is added. |
| Birks Museum is dedicated and opened. | |
| Tabor School of Business is dedicated | |
| Winter Term is abolished. | |
| "New Horizons" campaign is announced, including renovations to Liberal Arts Hall. | |
| 1984 | U.S. President Ronald Reagan visits campus for agribusiness conference, August |
| Mueller Computer Center is opened. | |
| 1985 | Writing Major is added to curriculum. |
| The athletic field is dedicated and named Frank M. Lindsey Field. | |
| 1986 | Renovations begin on Liberal Arts Hall. |
| Engineering department to be phased out by 1990. | |
| 1987 | U.S. News & World Report places Millikin 8th in Best Small Colleges. |
| First two of four new residence halls begin construction. | |
| 1988 | Fitness & Wellness Center opens. Renovations completed on Liberal Arts Hall. |
| 1990 | Second set of residence halls are constructed and completed. |
| 1991 | Computers replace card catalog at Staley Library. |
| J. Roger Miller announces his retirement, effective July 1. | |
| John Miltner becomes Millikin's president, July 1. | |
| 1992 | Formal Inauguration of Miltner, March. |
| President Miltner dies, September 8. Robert Shimp, provost, is named acting president. | |
| 1993 | Dr. Curtis McCray is named as president. |
| 1995 | Ground is broken for Oakland Hall, incorporating student housing and retail, including the bookstore and coffee shop. |
| 1996 | "Advancing the Vision," a capital campaign for $75 million, the largest in university history, is announced. |
| Construction begins on the university's first free-standing religious structure, Pilling Chapel. | |
| Oakland Hall completed, occupied. | |
| The Woods at Millikin apartments complex begins construction. | |
| 1997 | The Woods at Millikin is dedicated. |
| Renovations to Frank M. Lindsey Field begins. | |
| Pilling Chapel is finished and opened for use. | |
| Big Bronze Man on Campus, by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. is placed on campus. | |
| School of Music renovations begin, with school of music classes moved to Hessler Hall temporarily. | |
| President McCray resigns. Provost Thomas Flynn named acting president. Thomas Flynn is named president in December. | |
| 1999 | Thomas Flynn is formally inaugurated as 12th President, September. |
| Construction begins on new science building, October. | |
| Construction begins on Decatur Indoor Sports Center, a joint-use facility between Millikin University and the Decatur Park District. | |
| 2000 | Perkinson Music Center, named for C.D. "Perk" and Pat Perkinson, is dedicated. |
| Decatur Indoor Sports Center opens on October 2. | |
| Frank M. Lindsay Field receives a new press box, thanks to a $800,000 gift from F. Merrill and Margery "Sis" Lindsay in the late fall. | |
| First winter commencement ceremony held in Westminster Presbyterian Church in December. | |
| 2001 | The Gala Premiere of the centennial celebration is held, May 19. |
| Leighty-Tabor Science Center, a $16 million project, is completed in October. | |
| 2002 | Classes are held in Leighty-Tabor Science Center for the first time in the spring. |
| President Flynn announces a new theater/arts building will be built. | |
| President Thomas Flynn resigns Sept. 16. R. John Reynolds is named acting president the same day. | |
| 2003 | President R. John Reynolds steps down as President on June 30th. Douglas Zemke is named president July 1st. |
| 2005 | Remodeled Scovill Science Hall re-opens as the ADM-Scovill Tabor School of Business. |
| 2011 | President Harold Jeffcoat inaugurated as Millikin's 14th president on September 16th. |
| 2013 | President Jeffcoat announces immediate retirement in January. |
| Richard L. Dunsworth briefly serves as interim president after Dr. Jeffcoat's retirement. | |
| President Patrick E. White named as Millikin's 15th president on October 9th, after serving as interim president since July. | |
| 2014 | Renovation of Frank M. Lindsay field with new artificial turf, a re-surfaced track, and a high-tech video scoreboard. |
| 2015 | Renovation of Aston Hall. |
| Demolition of Mills and Hessler Halls, October-December. | |
| Groundbreaking on University Commons at Staley Library building project on November 6. | |
| 2017 | Opening of the Workman Family Softball Field. Opening of the University Commons, including the newly renovated Staley Library. |
| 2018 | RTUC demolished; ground broken for the new Center for Theatre and Dance on May 18. |
| 2019 | President Pat White announces his upcoming retirement in July 2020. Workman Family Baseball Field is dedicated. |
| 2020 | Jim Reynolds becomes Millikin's 16th President. |
| Opening of the new Center for Theatre & Dance. | |
| 2024 | The Health Sciences Center, featuring the Campbell Family Nursing Simulation Center, opens. |
| 2025 | Dr. Dean A. Pribbenow becomes Millikin's 17th President. |
| The David J. & Debra C. Rathje Athletic Center opens. | |
| 2026 | Dr. Dean A. Pribbenow is formally inaugurated on April 10. |
| Millikin celebrates its 125th anniversary, with a theme of Forever Blue. |